Nashville MLS expansion club eyes Nissan Stadium as temporary home; team name still undecided

MLS Commissioner Don Garber discusses Nashville's MLS stadium being approved and what that means for the team's future.

Ayrika L Whitney, The Tennessean

The CEO leading Nashville's Major League Soccer expansion franchise says he wants to build a "uniquely Nashville" club — but he's still not saying what the team will be called.

Ian Ayre also confirmed that the team hopes to use Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, as a temporary venue for its inaugural 2020 season while a new soccer-specefic stadium is under construction at the fairgrounds.

Ian Ayre, new CEO of the Nashville MLS soccer team, is seen in this photo taken Sunday, May 20, ...more

Ian Ayre, new CEO of the Nashville MLS soccer team, is seen in this photo taken Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.

He was addressing media just one week after Nashville's Metro Council voted to approve four pieces of legislation to clear the way for the $275 million stadium project at the fairgrounds. It followed months of debate over the controversial plans.

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"We want to build something here that's uniquely Nashville," Ayre said, pointing to the highly successful Atlanta United FC as a model to follow. "But we're not trying to be Atlanta. We're trying to be uniquely Nashville, be ourselves and build something that is right for the city an this league."

He said he wants to create a team that emulates a "vibrant, inclusive and an exciting city."

New GM hire expected in 4-6 weeks; coach next

Nashville Soccer Club, the city's lower-level United Soccer League franchise, is in its first year of play. The team is owned by John Ingram, the billionaire local businessman who is also the lead investor of Nashville's MLS club.

Ayre said the next priority is to hire a general manager within the next four to six weeks. The club has already interviewed candidates.

Many have speculated that the Nashville SC name would be adopted by the MLS club, but that's not a sure thing. Ayre said the club intends to discuss that question with its core supporters.

"Our ultimate decision on who we are and what we look like will come from those discussions," he said. "We're not quite there.

"It's about building something that people will immediately connect with the identity."

But for those worried about any number of cheesy country music cliches to be incorporated in the name, have no fear.

"Big guitar," Ayre said, seemingly laughing off that idea.

MLS commissioner Don Garber is in Nashville for the U.S.-Mexico match with plans to meet with Mayor David Briley and other city leaders.

Nissan Stadium the 'obvious choice' for temporary home

The team's new 30,500-seat stadium is scheduled to open at the fairgrounds in 2021, leaving the club with the need for a temporary stadium for the first year.

Ayre called Nissan Stadium, which is owned by the city, the "obvious choice" and hopes it will be the venue. The Nashville Sports Authority would likely have to approve an agreement for the use of the stadium.

The securing of a stadium capped a contentious fight with many longtime fairgrounds supporters opposing the addition of the stadium to the site and a plan for a 10-acre private mixed-use development next to the stadium. There were several long council meetings that Ayre and Ingram watched from the council chambers.

John Ingram, CEO of Nashville Soccer Club, talks before the Metro Council during a public hearing ...more

John Ingram, CEO of Nashville Soccer Club, talks before the Metro Council during a public hearing on a rezoning needed for the private development component of the MLS stadium project .

Joey Garrison/Tennessean

MLS team: Committed to be good neighbors at fairgrounds

"The seats were really hard in that room," Ayre joked, later saying that the club is committed to doing its part to be good neighbors to existing uses at the fairgrounds. That includes monthly flea markets and the Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, expressing confidence that the two sporting facilities can coexist.

"Change is always difficult," he said. "What's important is that you see through the promises that you made. It's often difficult for some people to see the final outcome.

"So, I think our goal and our objective has to be to deliver everything that we expect to deliver. I certainly don't have any doubt."

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennessean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.